Newstalk – February 25

Tonight, Wednesday the 25th, the Board of Alderman will be holding a Public Hearing on the city’s snow ordinance before it is amended. This is your time to go to City Hall tonight at 7 p.m. and offer the Board your opinion, good or bad, on the snow ordinance. The ordinance calls for snow and ice removal no later than a few hours after a storm, with fines up to $200 from the city. Just think if they had enforced this ordinance over these past few storms? One has to wonder if it’s a “revenue” issue or…? Let your voice be heard!

Letter to the Editor – February 26

Somerville Development Watch has proposed two zoning amendments, both of which discourage infill development in residential neighborhoods. One amendment limits the gross floor area increase during condo conversions to 15% instead of 25%. The other amendment attaches conditions to the granting of a special permit, for example requiring that the proposed use be appropriate for the site, without adversely affecting the character or value of abutting properties, or causing undue traffic, nuisance or hazard. Demonstrably factual objections from abutting owners, and the availability of adequate and appropriate city services for the proposed use would also be taken into account. A public hearing on these amendments will be held on Thursday March 5, at 6pm, at City Hall, 93 Highland Avenue, 2nd floor, Aldermanic Chamber.

A broken T is a broken economy

By Joseph A. Curtatone

Not that it necessarily needs to be repeated, but our region is in the middle of extraordinary circumstances with more than seven feet of snow falling in less than four weeks. It’s already the second snowiest winter on record for the region, and the record 30-day snowfall that fell over the past month would be the third snowiest season all on its own. So we’re aware of the tremendous impact the weather is having on the region, and not just on MBTA service. That said, the problems on the MBTA are not the result of this winter’s storms. The choreography of these consequences began long ago. We have chronically underfunded this transportation system for two generations. The MBTA’s problems should be a wake-up call to all of us that our future prosperity, for the Commonwealth and every city and town, depends on the reliability of the T—and its expansion goals.

Stop and smell the popcorn!

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

This past Saturday, I had to retrieve one of my favorite scarves that I left at Burton’s Grill in Burlington. I decided since I was right there, I’d do a little shopping at the Market Basket in the same complex. (Thanks Burton’s for taking care of my scarf!)

Newstalk – February 18

Many events and meetings were canceled this week due to the amount of snow. The committee meeting at City Hall to discuss the Snow Ordinance is now set for Wednesday, February 25 at 6 p.m. Also rescheduled is the proposed zoning ordinance, now set for March 5. The fundraiser and kickoff campaign for Alderman At Large Mary Jo Rossetti is reset for Monday, March 2 at Tony’s C’s in Assembly Row, beginning at 6 p.m.

Our View of the Times – February 18

Sure, we’re tired of shoveling it, trudging through it, and even thinking about it anymore. What can often be a “winter wonderland” for most of us has turned into an apocalyptic nightmare for almost everyone these past few weeks.

New zoning falls short on city’s open space goals

By Rob Buchanan

It comes as no surprise to Somerville residents that our city is ranked last in open space per person among Massachusetts’ municipalities. In a city with New England’s highest population density, we don’t need someone to explain the term “open space,” because we experience so little of it every day.

The good old days

By Jimmy Del Ponte

I know that a lot of you read my column because I talk about the old days. So let’s talk about the old days … of last summer when we were wearing shorts and sandals and cut off t- shirts. Let’s reminisce about the days that we sat out in our yards on our lounge chairs while burgers cooked on the grill.

Newstalk – February 11

The Somerville Chamber of Commerce monthly business afterhours get together is set for this week (due to snow last week) on the 12th at the famous Daddy Jones on Medford St. in Magoun Square from 5-7 p.m. It’s a great place to meet and a great monthly business networking event. If you’re not a member check it out by contacting the President, Steve Mackey at 617 776-4100.